Electrical connection means



H. A. DOUGLAS 2,091Q473 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Aug. 31, 1937.

Original Filed Oct. 14, 1932 Hazrg A-Dus1a9 lNvSJUTO Z Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,091,413 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Harry A. Douglas, Bronson, Mich. assignor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation of Indiana 28 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved electrical connection means, more particularly for spark plugs for internal combustion engines, and the principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved electrical connection means of these types. This application is a continuation of my application Serial Number 637,718, filed October 14, 1932.

Spark plugs as now manufactured are generally provided with screw threaded binding posts for securing thereto the high tension leads for the ignition circuit of the engine, a clamping nut being screwed onto the post for securing the lead thereto. These connections have been troublesome and time-consuming to make and insecure when made, vibration of the engine frequently loosening the connection with a consequent undesirable drop in voltage.

In my copending application Serial Number 637,717, filed October 14, 1932, now Patent No. 1,956,380, April 24, 1934, I have disclosed a means by which the spark plugs and leads thereformay be provided with snap terminals, whereby a uick and secure connection may be made therebetween without any change in the structure'oi' the plugs themselves. In the present case, I have discl'psed means whereby the spark plug may be provided with a permanent socket member for a snap terminal connection, thereby further enhancing the security of the connection.

The invention will be more fully explained by reference to the illustrative embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is an elevational view of a spark plug with my improved connection applied thereto and showing a wire terminal engaged thereby;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, on a somewhat larger scale, and with the wire terminal omitted;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 2, parts being broken away and shown in section;

Figure 4 is a development view on a reduced scale from Figures 2 and 3 showing a preferred form of blank for the socket member of my invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the socket member formed from the blank of Figure. 4, and on a somewhat larger scale; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the preferred form of'shell employed with my invention.

In accordance with my invention, a conventional spark plug having an insulating body I has secured to the upper end thereof a metal shell 5 2 of brass, for example, providing a cap for the plug. This shell or cap 2 may be securely attached to the spark plug as by having its lower perimenter 3 spun on the usual annular shoulder l of the plug. As best shown in Figures 2 and 6, 10 the cap 2 has a central portion 5 which is axially extended from the spark plug and is recessed as at 6 to receive the upper end I of the customary central electrode 8 for the plug, this electrode being appropriately insulated from the other electrode of the plug (not shown) by the insulating body 6 as is well known. To guard against turning of the cap 2 on the body 1, the recess about the end i of the electrode 8 may be filled with a suitable cement l in which the end I of the electrode 8 is embedded. The cement a constitutes a sufliciently thin'fllm at the point ill, for example, about the end I of the electrode and between the electrode and the walls of. the recess 6 .to permit the electrode to be in electrical communication with the cap 2, at the same time providing an annular gap which intensifies the spark, since there is no direct metal-to-metal contact between the electrode and the cap as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The shell 2 1s further provided with apertures ii and Ila in this instance four, equally spaced apart circumierentially about the central portion 5, for a purpose presently described, and the margin l2 of each of these apertures is ofiset from the plane of the apertures and in the direction of the axially extended portion 5 to provide lugs also for a purpose presently described.

The socket member ll of my invention, as shown in Figure 4, may be advantageously formed from a sheet metal blank I having the central rectangular portion iii terminating at each end in the integral wings l6, and the wings it being further extended at intervals to provide the tongues i'I, ll and IS on each of the wings. The blank I is next folded toform the socket member l3, as best shown in Figures 1 and 5, the wings l6 being brought together at their meeting edges 2|! and 2i to form the hollow cylindrical base portion 22 of the socket member and the 50 rectangular portion 15 forming the hollow cylindrica'l terminal receiving socket 23, the interiors of the base 22 and socket 23 being transverse one to the other and communicating through the con- 5 tracted opening 24 (Figure 2) between the interiors. The tongues l1, l8 and 19 of the socket member l3 are received in the apertures ll, Ha of the shell 2 and the terminations of these tongues are bent as at 25 to underlie the lugs I2 10 and to be tightly received between these lugs and the body portion l of the spark plug, thus securely attaching the socket member to the shell 2' and the spark plug. The diametrically disposed tongues l8 are each snugly received in one of a. pair of diametrically disposed apertures II andone each of the tongues 11 and- I9 are snugly re- 1 ceived in one each of another pair of diametrically disposed apertures H a, the latter pair of apertures being wider than the former pair to each receive one of the tongues I1 and one of the tongues 19, thus, as best shown in Figure 3, the meeting edges 20 and 2| of the socket member are maintained in engagement by the shell 2 and the base of the socket member is prevented from spreading.

when the socket member l3 and the shell 2 are thlig mechanically and electrically interconneEted, the base 22 of the socket member is telescoped over .the central portion 5 of the shell and as here shown a relatively heavy helical compression spring 26 is disposed within the base 22 and annularly of the central portion 5; Thus the shell 2 and socket member I3 jointly house the spring. A detent 21 is also received in the base portion 22 and has a central dome-shaped boss 28 which may be projected into the hollow interior of the socket 23, the contracted mouth of the opening 24 between the socket and the base limiting movement of the detent into the socket. I provide the spring 26, which is bottomed at one end against the shell 2, and at its other end presses upon the detent 21, to urge the boss 28 into the socket 23. So constructed andarranged, the spring 26 serves also to maintain the socket member l3 and shell 2 in mechanical and electrical connection, since the spring through the intermediation' of a detent 2-1 presses the terminations 25 of the tongues of the socket member and the lugs l2 of the shell together and maintains these parts in engagement even without the aid of the body I.

The socket 23 of the socket member 13 may thus receive the metallic terminal 29 of the insulated high tension lead. The terminal 29 is generally cylindrical having a frustro-conical end 3| and an annular furrow 32, and is maintained in yielding but secure mechanical and electrical communication with the spark plug by means of the spring pressed detent 21 the boss 23 of which snaps into the furrow 32 when the terminal 23 is inserted in the socket 23.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of my invention provides a new and improved electrical connection means, readily and conveniently constructed and assembled, and accordingly, accomplishes at least the principal object of my invention. On the other hand, it also will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of my invention may be variously changed and modified, or features thereof, singly or collectively, embodied in other combinations than those illustrated, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing all of the advantages thereof, and that accordingly, the disclosure herein is illustrative only, and my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. In a spark plug connection, the combination with a metallic shell providing a cap for the plug. said cap having a central recessed portion axially extended from said plug; of a central electrode carried by the plug and having one end received in said central portion in electrical communication therewith; a metallic socket member having a hollow base portion superposed telescopically on said central portion and permanently secured to the cap; an integral terminal receiving socket in said socket member transverse to said electrode, the hollow interiors of said socket and base portion intersecting; a detent loosely housed by the base portion and projected into the terminal receiving portion; and a coil spring housed in the base portion annularly of the central portion of the cap and pressing the detent toward the terminal receiving socket.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the cap has apertures therein circumferentially spaced about the central portion, and a margin of each of said apertures being offset from the plane of the apertures to provide a lug adjacent thereto and wherein the socket member has integral tongues extending radially from its base and received in said apertures to engage the lugs between said lugs and the body of the spark plug.

3. In a spark plug connection, the combina-' tion with a shell providing an electrically conductive cap for the plug having a central portion axially extended therefrom to telescopically receive in spaced relation therewith the upper end of a central electrode carried by the plug; of a terminal receiving member telescopically superposed on said central portion; apertures in said shell circumferentially spaced about the central portion; and tongues on said member received in said apertures and bent to engage the margins thereof, whereby the shell and member are secured together.

4. In a spark plug connection, the combination with a metallic shell for the upper end of a spark plug and having a centrally recessed portion extending axially thereof to telescopically receive the upper end of. a central electrode carried by the plug; of a hollow metallic terminal receiving member disposed coaxially of said shell in spaced telescoping relation with the centrally extended portion of the shell, the shell being apertured at spaced apart points about its axis and the terminal member being provided with tongues passing through said apertures and bent upon the interior of the shell; a coil spring housed annularly of the centrally extended portion of the shell and within the terminal member; and a terminal eng gi g detent carried within the terminal member and pressed upon by said spring, an abutment for the detent provided within said member said spring also serving to maintain the bent over ends of the tongues in engagement with the margins of the apertures in the shell.

5. In aspark plug connection, the combination with a metallic shell for the upper end of a spark plug and having a centrally recessed portion extending axially thereof to telescopically receive the upper end of a central electrode carried by the plug; of a hollow metallic terminal receiving member disposed coaxially of said shell in spaced telescoping relation with the centrally extended portion of the shell, the shell being apertured at spaced apart points about its axis and the terminal member being provided with tongues passing through said apertures and bent upon the interior of the shell; a coil spring housed annularly of the centrally extended portion of the shell and within the terminal member; a terminal engaging detent carried within the terminal member and pressed uponby said spring, an abutment for the detent provided within said member, said spring also serving to press the cap and terminal member apart to maintain the bent over ends of the tongues in engagement with the margins of the apertures in the shell; and a socket portion integral with the terminal receiving member having a socket therein transverse to the axis of the shell and terminal memher and having an opening therein communicating with the spring receiving portion of the terminal member through which a boss on the detent is pressed.

6. In a spark plug connection, the combination of a body of insulating material with an elec-' trode axially mounted therein and extending beyond one end, with a metallic shell having a central portion pressed outwardly forming a cap with the electrode extending thereinto, a hollow terminal receiving member coaxially superposed upon the shell, apertures in the top of the shell spaced apart about the axis of the shell, tongues on said member received in said apertures and bent to engage the margins thereof between said body and said shell, and means forming an electrical connection between said electrode and terminal receiving member.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein the margins of the apertures between which and the body and tongues are received, are offset from the plane of the apertures to provide lugs engaging the tongues.

8. The structure of claim 6 wherein a compression'spring is jointly housed by the shell and member and presses these members apart to maintain. the tongues and said margins in engagement.

9. Electrical connection means for a spark plug having a terminal, comprising: receiving means having a tubular body provided with a transverse aperture'for receiving a conductor, so constructed and arranged as to be supported from the spark plug, said receiving means including a detent disposed in said tubular body and a helical spring constructed and. arranged to bias said detent against a conductor disposed in said aperture,

and a tubular portion disposed between said spring and the terminal of the spark plug.

10. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subse' quent reception of a plug conductor terminal;

means, of sheet metal stock, so constructed and arranged that it provides a tubular portion; said loop means and said tubular portion being constructed integrally from a single sheet metal stamping; and means, disposed in said tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said 7 preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight.

11. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: loop means,

bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and

so constructed and arranged that said bight protion of a plug conductor terminal; means, of sheet metal stock, so constructed and arranged that it provides a tubular portion; means, disposed in said tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by-walis of said tubular portion, said means being'constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight; and limiting means, including sheet metal, bent inwardly toward the. axis of said tubular portion, so constructed and arranged as to'limit movement of said biasing means toward said bight; said loop means and said tubular portion and said limiting means being constructed integrally from a single sheet metal stamping.

12. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: a body, having a portion formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts, said channel shaped parts being so constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at the juxtaposed margins of said channel shaped parts; said body having a preformed aperture, transverse to said split tubular portion, for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; and means, disposed in said split tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said aperture.

13. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: a body, having a portion formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts, said channel shaped parts being so constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at, and separable at the juxtaposed margins of said channel shaped parts; said body having a preformed aperture, transverse to said tubular portion, for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; means, disposed in said split tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said aperture; and means constructed and arranged to hold said otherwise separable parts of said split tubular portion in juxtaposition.

14. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: a body, having a portion formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts, said channel shaped parts being so constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at, and

separable at the juxtaposed margins of said channel shaped parts; said body having a preformed aperture, transverseto said tubular portion, for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; means, disposed in said split tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said aperture; and supporting and holding means, constructed and arranged to support said connection means and to hold said otherwise separable parts of said split tubular portion in juxtaposition.

15. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; a portion formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts; said channel shaped parts being bent to channel shape from sheet metal stock, and so constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at the juxtaposed margins of said channel shaped parts; and means, disposed in said split tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight; and said loop means and said tubular portion being constructed integrally from a single sheet metal stamping.

16. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; a portion integral with said loop means; said portion being formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts, said channel shaped parts being bent to channel shape from sheet metal stock, and so constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at the juxtaposed margins of said channel shaped parts; means, disposed in said split tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight; and limiting means,including sheet metal, bent inwardly toward the axis of said tubular portion, so constructed and arranged as to limit movement of said biasing means toward said bight; said loop means and said tubular portion and said limiting means being constructed from a single sheet metal stamping.

17. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; a portion formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts, said channel shaped parts being bent to channel shape from sheet metal stock, and so constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at, and separable at the juxtaposed margins of said channel shaped parts; means, disposed in said split tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relativelyto and guided by walls of said tubular'portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight; said loop means and said tubular portion being constructed integrally from a single sheet metal stamping; and vmeans'constructed and arranged to hold said otherwise separable parts of said split tubular portion in juxtaposition.

18. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; means, of sheet metal stock, so constructed and arranged that it provides a tubular portion; means, disposed in said tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that'it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight; and projection means, of sheet metal stock, so constructed and arranged that said connection means may be mounted by said projection means; said loop means and said tubular portion and said projection means being constructed integrally from a single sheet metal stamping.

19. Electricalconnection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; means, of sheet metal stock, so constructed and arranged that it provides a tubular portion; means, disposed in said tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight; and projection means, of sheet metal stock, extending from said tubular portion transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tubular portion, so constructed and arranged that said connection means may be mounted by said projection means; said loop means and said tubular portion andsaid projection means being constructed integrally from a single sheet metal stamping.

20. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprisingz' loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; means, of sheet metal stock, so constructed and arranged that it provides a tubular portion; means disposed in said tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged tobias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight; projection means, of sheet H vides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; means, of sheet metal stock, so constructed and arranged that it provides a tubular portion; biasing means, disposed in said tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable rela wall of said bight; projection means, of sheet metal stock, extending outwardly from said tubular portion, so constructed and arranged that said connection means may be mounted by said projection means; said loop means and said tubu- 1 lar portion and said projection means being constructed integrally from asingle sheet metal stamping; and supporting means constructed and arranged to cooperate with said projection means to support said connection means and to serve as an abutment for said biasing means.

22. Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising loop means, bent from sheet metal .stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; a portion formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts, said channel shaped parts being bent to channel shape from sheet metal stock, and so'constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at, and separable at the juxtaposed margins of said channel shaped parts; means, disposed in said split tubular portion, comprising a detent so'constructed andarrangedthat '30 it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable 'into said preformed aperture, against a wall'of said bight; projection means, of sheet metal stock, extending outwardly from said tubular portion, so constructed and arranged that said connection means may be mounted by said projection means; said loop means and said tubular portion and said pro- 40 jection means being constructed integrally from a single sheet metal stamping; and supporting and holding means, cooperable with said projection means, constructed and arranged to support said connection means and to hold said otherwise separable parts of said split tubular portion in juxtaposition.

23. Electrical connection means for a spark plug having a body and a lead-in terminal disposed therein, comprising: receiving means having a tubular body provided with a transverse aperture for receiving a conductor; separate supporting means supporting said receiving means,

said supporting means being so constructed and arranged that it is supportable from the body or the spark plug; said receiving means including a detent disposed in said tubular body and resilient means constructed and arranged to bias said detent against a conductor disposed in said aperture.

24. Electrical connection means for a spark plug having a body and a lead-in terminal disposed therein, comprising: sheet metal receiving means having a tubular body provided with a transverse aperture for receiving a conductor;

separate sheet metal supporting means con- I structed and arranged to support said receiving means, said supporting means having-an axially extending portion cooperable with the periphery of the body of the spark plug 'and an end wall abutted by said receiving means; and said receiving means including a detent disposed in said tubular body and resilient means abutting said supporting means; said resilient means being constructed and arranged to bias said detent against a conductor disposed in said aperture.

25. Electrical connection means for a spark plug having a body and a lead-in terminal disposed therein, comprising: receiving means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, said receivingmeans comprising loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and s) constructed and arranged that said bightprovides a 'preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; means, of sheet metal stock, so constructed and arranged, that it provides a tubular portion; said loop means and said tubular portion being constructed integrally from a single sheet metal stamping; means, disposed in said tubular portion, comprising a detent so constructed and arranged that it is movable relatively to and guided by walls of said'tubular portion, said means being constructed and arranged to bias a plug conductor terminal, insertable into said preformed aperture, against a wall of said bight; and separate supporting means supporting said receiving means, said supporting means being constructed and arranged for attachment to and support by the body of the spark plug.

26. Electrical connection means for a spark plug having a body and a lead-in terminal disposed therein, comprising: receiving means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, said receiving means having a body with a portion thereof formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts,

said channel shaped parts being so constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at, and separable at the jux- ,taposed margins of said channel shaped' parts;

said body having a'preformed aperture, transverse to said tubular portion, for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; means; disjuxtaposiiton, said holding means being constructed and arranged for attachment to and support by the body of the spark plug.

27. Electrical connection means, comprising: a support; plug conductor terminal receiving means extending laterally from said support and having a transverse aperture for receiving a conductor terminal, and including resilient biasing means so constructed and arranged thatforce is required to insert or remove the conductor terminal into or from said aperture; said receiving means being of sheet metal tubular form opposite walls of which have portions clinched over a porticn of said support, said clinched portions defining the general direction 01' the axis or said aperture.

28.- Electrical connection means for receiving a plug conductor terminal, comprising: loop means, bent from sheet metal stock to form a bight, and so constructed and arranged that said bight provides a preformed aperture for subsequent reception of a plug conductor terminal; a portion formed by two juxtaposed channel shaped parts,

' said' channel shaped parts being bent to channel shape from sheetmetal stock, and so constructed and arranged that said portion is of tubular form split longitudinally at, and separable at the juxtaposed margins ofsaid channel shaped parts; means, disposed in said split tubular portion,

integrally from av single sheet metal stamping; and supporting means constructed and arranged to support said connection means and to hold said otherwise separable parts of said split tubu v lar portion in juxtaposition.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

